George On Increasing Rural Crime

“I’m well aware that crime figures can often be more complex than they look at first sight, but it’s very disappointing that Hampshire is near the top of the list in the survey and very concerning that the estimated cost of rural crime in the county has almost doubled in 2014 from the 2013 figures.

“As I represent a largely rural constituency, I’m very much aware of the devastating effect rural crime has on communities and it’s really one of the top concerns in the countryside.

“If this level of crime took place in an urban location there would be an uproar, so it is right that the rural community makes sure the problem is in the limelight.

“I know that the police and crime commissioner and chief constable are putting resources into tackling this type of crime and that Hampshire police has had a Rural Crime Strategy in place since July last year, so I’m hopeful that progress is being made on this issue.

“I will be talking to the Chief Constable about rural crime and the survey when I next see him at one of our regular meetings.”

Here is the full NFU Press Release:

Rural crime falls as country people unite to fight thieves

Rural crime cost UK economy £37.8 million in 2014

Thieves becoming more sophisticated and cybercrime a ‘growing concern’

Criminals exploiting new targets including solar panels

Leading rural insurer NFU Mutual today releases its annual rural crime data, based on claims received in 2014. The data reveals rural crime cost the UK economy £37.8 million in 2014, down from £44.5 million in 2013 – representing a 15% fall.

But despite an overall decline in the cost of rural crime in every UK region, several types of crime have continued to rise in parts of the UK, with quad bikes proving particularly attractive to thieves.

Meanwhile the cost of livestock theft nationally has remained stubbornly high with several regions recording increases. The data follows a spate of high-value livestock thefts across the country, and the rollout of a national livestock theft reduction scheme sponsored by NFU Mutual.

In a survey of NFU Mutual’s branch offices across the UK, 56% of respondents indicated that awareness of crime is rising in rural communities. The survey also reveals that rural communities are employing ever more sophisticated means of protecting themselves, including the installation of alarm and CCTV systems.

According to the survey, the most commonly targeted items over the last twelve months were fuel, tools and quad bikes. Essex and Kent are the UK’s worst affected counties in 2014 while in Scotland the cost of quad bike theft has increased by around 80%.

And despite an overall decline in rural crime, the survey reveals that many in rural communities feel that thieves are also becoming more sophisticated.

And further highlighting the changing nature of rural crime, 63% of those surveyed said that cybercrime is a growing problem for rural communities while NFU Mutual’s most recent claims data also shows thieves are taking advantage of new targets such as solar panels.

The survey also revealed that vehicle theft, burglary and livestock theft are the most prevalent crimes being experienced in Britain’s rural communities.

“That our figures show an overall decline in the cost of rural crime during the last 12 months is welcome news and reflects the huge efforts being made by communities and others to tackle this problem. Initiatives like the Lancashire Livestock Scheme and CESAR tracking for agricultural vehicles are having a real impact and making life increasingly difficult for rural criminals.

“That said, problem areas remain. Levels of livestock theft for example are stubbornly high and quad bikes continue to be targeted by criminals with several regions of the country recording significant increases in the cost of quad bike theft.

“So, while today’s survey contains some good news, it also highlights the need for rural communities to remain vigilant and put security at the forefront of their minds.”

To-date, NFU Mutual has invested more than £600,000 funding police specialist units to coordinate activity on agricultural vehicle crime. This has helped reduce tractor theft by a third from a record £10 million in 2010 to £5.4 million in 2014.

The Mutual also sponsors the Lancashire Livestock Initiative, a scheme launched in 2014 to bring police and communities together to beat livestock thieves, and provide safe spaces for stolen livestock. The scheme is now being replicated in Yorkshire, Cumbria and other livestock rearing counties across the country.

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5 comments on “George On Increasing Rural Crime”

All the platitudes in the world will not resolve this problem. The Tory policy of police cutbacks is having a devastating effect on rural crime. Talking to the so called Crime Commisioner is pointless. Put more police back into Hampshire. We know this won’t happen though. There is no money to be made from it. That’s the Tory ideology so crime is a low priority.

Hi Bill, EHDC, your local Tory Council, have made savings and have used some of these to fund an additional 3 PCSO’s for a three year period to support the East Hants Police Team, and also provided funding for 5 new ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition Cameras) in a package worth about £400,000. As local Councillors we are very concerned about crime and have done something about it – the first and only Council we know of to have ever funded additional officers and equipment on a full time basis. Guy.

More visible police presence surely better than more cameras which are a rather less helpful way of dealing with anything, in my opinion. Preventative measures must surely be more effective?
I am very pleased to read George’s comments about rural areas being neglected and where rural crime is increasing…and his determination to improve things. But, if the ANPR cameras are coming, then it’s the motorists who will bear the brunt, and cameras will be sited at the more lucrative places?? (I know this to my own cost….)
Hope I’ve got that wrong……

Please can you provide more detail about the intended usage of ANPR cameras?

Hi Wendy. EHDC met with the chief constable and asked what his wish list would be. 3 PCSO’s and 5 ANPR cameras was the response. The PSCO’s provide a very visible presence which is great but the ANPR Cameras make a significant difference to serious crime. For example if a car is stolen the ANPR cameras can track not just the car, but as it passes two ANPR cameras it will flag up if another vehicle with a different plate also passed the same to cameras within a few minutes of the stolen vehicle. This helps to link a stolen vehicle with a car that may have been working with the car thief (to drop them off and run back with them). Similarly details of partial number plates and vehicle colours can be put into the computer and this will look for vehicles that match the details and flag up options. The more cameras, the better, as they help to build up a silent network of watchers. This is just the tip of the iceberg on what these can do. The ANPR cameras are nothing to do with speeding. Hope this helps?

Yes, thank you, Guy.
However, I have always had reservations about the increased use of cameras. I read ‘1984’ in 1979, and read of the potential for misuse of cameras. Apart from the ‘spying’ aspect, there can always be many different interpretations about what is happening, in contextual and interpretative ways. The question: ‘What is happening in this picture’ can produce many different answers. A maxim in our house was always: ‘Prevention is better than cure’…!!

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